The Paris Olympics have been nothing short of sensational, with athletes from around the world showcasing their talents on the biggest stage of all. One of the most captivating moments of this year’s Games came in the men’s 200m final, where Letsile Tebogo of Botswana stunned the world by beating Team USA’s star sprinter Noah Lyles to win the gold medal.
But what made this victory even more remarkable was Tebogo’s scathing comments on Lyles, whom he dubbed as “arrogant” in a post-race interview where he was asked if he would like to the face of athletics.
Lyles had confidently told reporters beforehand that he would win the race, and made an extremely bombastic entrance into the Stade de France as he jumped around and waved his arms towards the crowd.
But the American, who later revealed that he had Covid, finished third in the race as Tebogo led the pack and the sprinter from Botswana went on to call Lyles ‘arrogant’ and ‘loud.’
The newly-crowned 200m champion was asked whether he aspired to be the face of track and field, and claimed his more laid-back approach wouldn’t allow him to get to Lyles’ level of fame.
‘For me, I can’t be the face of athletics because I’m not an arrogant or loud person like Noah,’ he said.
‘So I believe Noah’s the face of athletics.’
The remark caused Lyles’ USA teammate, Kenny Bednarek, who claimed silver in the race, to briefly crack a wry smile.
Lyles brashly predicted before the 200m that he would complete the double after winning gold in the 100m in a nail-biting finish.
‘None of them is winning. When I come off the turn, they will be depressed,’ he said.
However, that prediction aged poorly as Lyles labored to a third-place finish and was placed in a wheelchair moments after the race, clearly out of breath from his Covid diagnosis.
In the end, Letsile Tebogo’s savage verdict on ‘arrogant’ Noah Lyles will go down in Olympic history as one of the most memorable moments of the Games, a testament to the power of sportsmanship and the undying spirit of competition.
Flip to the next page to watch Letsile Tebogo speak after beating ‘arrogant’ Noah Lyles…
